Colbert parents looking for answers

COLBERT, Okla. -- A family in Colbert is looking for some answers after they say their son was spanked in school. Now the decision on what’s next in the case lies in the hands of the Bryan County District Attorney.

Jacinda Degarmo has lived in Colbert all her life and never had any problems sending her children to the same school she went to years ago until this week.

"I don’t trust them now at all."

On Tuesday, Degarmo says her son Collin came home from West Ward Elementary with bruises on his back and shoulder. Those bruises are a result of a spanking given by principal Gerald Thompson, after Collin flashed an obscene gesture at a teacher.

His mother says her son is innocent and is angry he was spanked in the first place.

The Degarmos turned in a form to school officials denying them permission to use corporal punishment on their child.

"I’m angry and frustrated that they would go against me and my husband’s wishes, and if you don’t want your kids disciplined you shouldn’t have to worry about sending your kids to school and them coming home and telling you they were."

We tried to contact Colbert school officials and Principal Thompson today but both were unavailable for comment.

That same day, Degarmo called Colbert Police and the Department of Human Services to investigate.

Colbert city officials did not appear on camera but did tell us the results of the investigation including pictures and medical exams have been turned over to the district attorney's office, who will determine if any charges will be filed in the case.

Despite the allegations, Thompson is still on the job.

That’s not good enough for Degarmo.

"He’s still working there, and they are acting like this is not a problem at all."

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